Beta-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei

Abstract

Beta-decay half-lives have been calculated by a microscopic theory for nuclei with 6 ⩽ Z ⩽ 114 between the line of beta-stability and the neutron drip line. The calculated half-lives are independent of the present uncertainties of nuclear mass formulas. The accuracy of the predictions is considerably improved over that of an earlier prediction based on a “gross theory” of beta decay.